7 Apr 2020

Fiji to juggle Covid-19 restrictions with cyclone prep

5:40 pm on 7 April 2020

With a tropical cyclone bearing down on Fiji, there are no signs the government will lift the lockdown and curfew restrictions imposed to tackle the Covid-19 threat.

The Fiji Meteorological Office said Cyclone Harold - a category four storm - was expected to be 150 kilometres west of Kadavu by 9am local time tomorrow morning .

Cyclone Harold moves away from Vanuatu and towards Fiji

Cyclone Harold moves away from Vanuatu and towards Fiji Photo: Fiji Met Service

The government said there were plans to evacuate people in lockdown areas.

A nation-wide curfew kicks in from 8pm tonight but Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said people must still evacuate if flooding posed a risk.

"If any areas under lockdown see serious flooding and need to be evacuated, we have contingency plans in place to prevent any mixing between evacuees and Fijians who are close contacts of existing Covid-positive patients."

Mr Frank Bainimarama assured the nation all evacuation centres would be sanitised and regularly monitored to ensure they were not filled beyond capacity.

He said because the Covid-19 outbreak struck during the cyclone season, the government had to weather-proof its Covid-19 containment efforts in case a storm hit.

"Tomorrow, the cyclone will enter Fijian waters and we can expect strong winds and heavy rains in the Yasawa and Mamanuca groups, Viti Levu, Kadavu, the Lomaiviti Group and the Southern Lau Group.

"Cyclones can kill and so can coronavirus. As we combat these two life-threatening crises, it's vital that every Fijian do exactly what they are told to do by authorities," the prime minister said.

A storm warning remained in force for Vatulele with gale force winds and heavy rainfall expected for the rest of the country.

Mr Bainimarama also urged people to stay away from floodwaters.

"If you've been directed to evacuate, please do so. If you have not been told to move, stay put at home."

Fiji PM, Frank Bainimarama

Fiji PM, Frank Bainimarama Photo: Fiji Govt